Several couples wed at Pottawatomie County courthouse Wednesday

Eight couples wanting to have wedding anniversary dates of 12-12-12 applied for marriage licenses at the Pottawatomie County courthouse Wednesday, with six ceremonies performed by judges.

Kim Morava

Eight couples wanting to have wedding anniversary dates of 12-12-12 applied for marriage licenses at the Pottawatomie County courthouse Wednesday, with six ceremonies performed by judges.

Among the couples were Joshua Stone and Tara Waldrup, who were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Stone by District Judge John Canavan just before 5 p.m.

The judge, who conducted two morning ceremonies, set several ceremonies for a late afternoon wedding docket. As they awaited their turn, the couple, who've been engaged more than a year, reflected on the significance of choosing 12-12-12 as their wedding date.

"We planned to get married anyway…we figured there's not a better day than 12-12-12," Waldrup said.

For the groom, the answer was simpler.

"It's easy to remember," Stone said.

Waldrup's 8-year-old son, Levi, along with the bride's parents, Jeff and Shelli Waldrup, were among those attending the nuptials.

"It's supposed to be a lucky day," Shelli Waldrup said about the special date, with Jeff Waldrup adding, "We're very proud of them."

Levi, who was excited about "getting a new dad," Jeff Waldrup said, still had homework to do after witnessing the wedding.

After Judge Canavan conducted the ceremony in his courtroom, he congratulated the couple for their 12-12-12 wedding.

While many have wanted to have anniversary dates with the same month, day and year, technically, as far as the courthouse weddings go, it was only possible 10 times this Century.

Canavan told the couple the courthouse was closed on Jan. 1, 2001 for New Year's Day, and on Nov. 11, 2011 for Veteran's Day.

"So there's only 10 days in the Century with the same month, day and year," for courthouse weddings, Canavan said.

Canavan married five of Wednesday's couples while Associate District Judge John Gardner married one.

It was estimated by David's Bridal, a U.S.-based company, that at least 7,500 couples across the U.S. would marry on Wednesday because of the significant date.

And there was no exception in Las Vegas, known as the land of wedding chapels, where it was reported marriage licenses tripled because of the significant date.

According to Vicki MacKinnon, author of "Please Take a Number: Numerology for Real Life and Everyday Success," Wednesday's date represents two energies merging, including masculine and feminine energies.

MacKinnon, of Calgary, Alberta, said those kinds of energy are good news for couples marrying on 12-12-12.

Mr. and Mrs. Stone plan to make their home in Shawnee.

There were three couples in Lincoln County and three couples in Seminole County who applied for marriage licenses on Wednesday.